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10 Ways reduce the word count of your research paper

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10 Ways reduce the word count of your research paper

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  1. 10ways to reduce the word count of your research paper

  2. Word reduction can be difficult! As an author, it is quite difficult to write concisely. After all, you have so much to say! But when submitting your manuscript to a journal, you must ensure that you meet the required word count. At what stage should you reduce the word count of your paper? After writing your first draft! Review your paper to identify content that could be made more concise or shortened.

  3. Let us look at some areas you can focus on to keep your manuscript concise

  4. 1. Unwanted introductory phrases • Sentences beginning with there is a previous studyon, it has been reported that, etc., have supporting citations. Omit these phrases and keep only the citations. EXAMPLE Original 17 words It has been reported that the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease increases with age (Rogue et al., 2004). It has been reported that tThe incidence of Alzheimer’s disease increases with age (Rogue et al., 2004). Revised 12 words Note: For all examples in this tutorial, deleted text has been struck out and new text has been underlined.

  5. 2. Sentences with product names Shorten such sentences by placing the product name within parentheses. • Sentences that include product names are usually longer. EXAMPLE Original 17 words The samples were analyzed on the ABC spectrophotometer (Zhejiang Scientific, Zhejiang, China) to determine the xyz values.  The samples were analyzed on the ABC spectrophotometer to determine the xyz values (ABC spectrometer; Zhejiang Scientific, Zhejiang, China). Revised 15 words

  6. 3. Nominalizations • Nominalization - using noun forms instead of verb forms - increases wordiness. Use verb forms as far as possible. EXAMPLE A diagnosis of cancer was made on the basis of the findings. Original 12 words A diagnosis of cCancer was diagnosedmade on the basis of the findings. Revised 9 words

  7. 4. Values in the results section • In the results section, avoid stating individual values for groups, followed by the values • for statistical significance. Instead, place the values within parentheses. EXAMPLE The protein level was 5 mg in Group A, while it was 3 mg in Group B, the difference being statistically significant (p < 0.05). Original 25 words Revised 21 words The difference in the protein level was 5 mg inbetweenGgroups A and B, while it was 3 mg in Group b, the difference being statisticallywas significant (5 mg vs. 3 mg, p < 0.05).

  8. 5. Sentences with basic information • Often, sentences in the introduction or discussion sections contain obvious information that the audience already knows about. It is important to set context, but avoid stating the obvious! EXAMPLE If your paper is on AIDS, avoid statements such as “AIDS is a life-threatening disease.” It is clear that your audience would know about AIDS and its impact on health. Get to the point, instead, and talk about your research on AIDS.

  9. 6. Wordy phrases Simplify long phrases. Check a thesaurus or dictionary for shorter ways to convey your meaning. • Some of the most commonly used phrases in academic writing are wordy! EXAMPLES Wordy phrases Alternative words a number of as a result on the other hand as a consequence of several therefore whereas owing to

  10. 7. Repeated verbs • If you are describing a series of procedures, don’t repeat the verbs. Use elliptical sentences - shorter sentences where some words have been omitted but they retain the same meaning. EXAMPLE Group A was given cyclosporine, Group B was given FK506, and Group C was given chlorambucil. Original 16 words Group A was given cyclosporine; Group B,was given FK506; and Group C,was given chlorambucil.  Revised 12 words

  11. 8. Hyphenation Hyphenate terms wherever possible. Always check whether the hyphenated terms have been used in previously published papers. • Often, hyphenated words are counted as one word. EXAMPLE After rehabilitation, the patients came to rely on themselves. Original 9 words After rehabilitation, the patients became self-reliantcame to rely on themselves. Revised 6 words

  12. 9. Use of voice Use the active voice wherever possible. Note that this may be possible only with some types of constructions. • In some cases, using the passive voice makes it necessary to use more words. EXAMPLE Written  informed consent was given by all patients. Original 8 words Revised 6 words All patients gave Wwritten  informed consent was given by all patients.

  13. 10. Possessive constructions • Possessive constructions using “of” make it necessary to frame descriptive phrases. Avoid lengthy possessive constructions formed using “of.” EXAMPLE Patients of Group 1 were followed up for 6 months, and those of Group 2, for 12 months. Original 18 words Revised 15 words Patients of Group 1 patients were followed up for 6 months, whileand those of Group 2 patientswere followed up, for 12 months.

  14. Quick recap Here’re 10 ways to reduce the word count of your paper: Avoid wordy phrases. Get rid of unwanted introductory phrases. 6 1 Include product names within parentheses. Use elliptical constructions to avoid repeating verbs. 2 7 Hyphenate whenever possible. Avoid nominalizations. 8 3 Use the active voice wherever possible. Place values within parentheses. 9 4 Omit sentences with basic information. Avoid possessive constructions. 10 5 Source: 10 Tips to reduce the length of your research paper, by Clarinda Cerejo: http://www.editage.com/insights/10-tips-to-reduce-the-length-of-your-research-paper

  15. Things to remember! Keep the context in mind when applying these techniques. Do not apply them blindly. Do not cut out chunks of your paper to reduce its length. Your research content is important. Read your paper again and again to check if there is scope for improvement. Pay attention to your introduction and conclusion. You are more likely to get descriptive and add redundant text in these sections. Practice, practice, and practice! Simplify your writing style to make it more concise.

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